Clermont-Ferrand

Two short fiction films from Switzerland will be screened in the International Competition: 1:10 by Sinan Tanner, his graduation film at the ZHdK. Cinematically original, the comedy tells of chaotic episodes taking place in parallel on a school sports day. The film celebrated its world premiere at the Internationale Kurzfilmtage Winterthur, where it was screened in the Swiss Film School Day programme and received a Special Mention.  

Naomi Pacifique’s short film LOOKING SHE SAID I FORGET premiered at the Locarno Film Festival and was shortlisted for the 2024 European Film Awards. The multidisciplinary artist is currently working on her next short IN THE HEART THERE IS A STONE, as well as on her first feature film AFTER THE NIGHT, THE NIGHT. 

Two Swiss productions have also been selected for the Lab Competition – the platform for daring, out-of-the-ordinary filmmaking: the experimental fiction film LAMENTO by Jannik Giger and Demian Wohler, which has just celebrated its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam IFFR; and the essayistic documentary film EXIT THROUGH THE CUCKOO’S NEST by Nikola Ilić, which already has an illustrious festival career. 

LE FILM DE SA VIE by French director Jules Carrin – a graduate of HEAD Genève – will be screened in the National Competition.  

Five Swiss animation films will be screened in the Young Audience Selection, the festival’s programme for children and young people: TOTI by Maëlle Chevallier; UNE GUITARE À LA MER by Sophie Roze; LOLA ET LE PIANO À BRUITS by Augusto Zanovello; and IL ÉTAIT UNE FOIS À DRAGONVILLE by Marika Herz, all four of which are coproduced by the Geneva-based animation film studio Nadasdy Film, as well as STORYTELLING by Nils Hedinger (prêt-à-tourner Filmproduktion). 

HEAD – Genève as guest school 

This year’s festival is honouring HEAD – Genève as the guest school, which has been offering degree programmes for film for 50 years. An extensive film programme will showcase short films created at HEAD. These include works by award-winning directors such as Basil da Cunha, Marcel Barelli, Marie-Elsa Sgualdo and Elene Naveriani. 

Five HEAD alumni will pitch their short film projects in search of a production at the “Talent Connexion” programme in conjunction with the Marché du Film Court (February 3-6, 2025). 

SWISS FILMS will be representing current Swiss short film production with a stand at the film market. The curated Line-up Shorts 2025 highlights the latest short films and will be published on the website.